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Schumacher KL, Plano Clark VL, Eilers J, et al. Methodological considerations for the design and implementation of a fully longitudinal mixed methods study. Res Nurs Health. 2021;44(3):571-580doi: 10.1002/nur.22133.
Schumacher, K. L., Plano Clark, V. L., Eilers, J., Kigondu, N., Geary, C., Kupzyk, K., Lydiatt, W. M., Lackner, R. P., & Ly, Q. (2021). Methodological considerations for the design and implementation of a fully longitudinal mixed methods study. Research in nursing & health, 44(3), 571-580. https://doi.org/10.1002/nur.22133
Schumacher, Karen L, et al. "Methodological considerations for the design and implementation of a fully longitudinal mixed methods study." Research in nursing & health vol. 44,3 (2021): 571-580. doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/nur.22133
Schumacher KL, Plano Clark VL, Eilers J, Kigondu N, Geary C, Kupzyk K, Lydiatt WM, Lackner RP, Ly Q. Methodological considerations for the design and implementation of a fully longitudinal mixed methods study. Res Nurs Health. 2021 Jun;44(3):571-580. doi: 10.1002/nur.22133. Epub 2021 Apr 06. PMID: 33821492.
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Res Nurs Health. 2021 Jun;44(3):571-580. doi: 10.1002/nur.22133. Epub 2021 Apr 06.

Methodological considerations for the design and implementation of a fully longitudinal mixed methods study.

Research in nursing & health

Karen L Schumacher, Vicki L Plano Clark, June Eilers, Naomi Kigondu, Carol Geary, Kevin Kupzyk, William M Lydiatt, Rudy P Lackner, Quan Ly

Affiliations

  1. School of Nursing, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA.
  2. College of Nursing, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA.
  3. School of Education, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
  4. Nebraska Methodist Health System, Omaha, Nebraska, USA.
  5. University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Medicine, Nebraska, USA.

PMID: 33821492 DOI: 10.1002/nur.22133

Abstract

Growing interest is evident in longitudinal mixed methods research, particularly fully longitudinal mixed methods designs in which both quantitative and qualitative data are collected concurrently for the duration of the study. Fully longitudinal mixed methods designs are particularly relevant for research on dynamic phenomena because of their ability to illuminate both quantitative and qualitative dimensions of change in real time as the phenomenon of interest changes. However, these are complex research designs and their data-intense nature makes them potentially burdensome for study participants, challenging for research teams, and costly for funding agencies. Despite growing use, the methodological literature on fully longitudinal mixed methods research is sparse and little guidance is available for researchers considering this approach. We address this gap by describing our experience with the design and implementation of a fully longitudinal mixed methods study of a dynamic phenomenon, namely, family caregiving during cancer treatment. We describe important questions and key decisions confronted while developing the research proposal, proactive strategies for study implementation, and implementation realities encountered while the study was in progress. On the basis of insights gained through real-world experience, we offer three guiding principles for researchers undertaking such a study. First, align the study design with the nature of the dynamics in the phenomenon of interest. Second, plan from the start when and how the integration of the longitudinal quantitative and qualitative data will occur. Third, employ implementation strategies that take into account the practical aspects of repeated contacts with study participants for an extended period.

© 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Keywords: cancer; caregivers; longitudinal; mixed methods; research design

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